/IRBIS, Jan 23, 01/ - REUTERS informs, with the reference to the head of Kazakhmys OJSC public relations department, Vladislav Nikolaev, that the company increased refined copper production up to 394.7 th. tons in year 2000 from 361.8 th. tons in 1999.

It is also said that silver production increased from 412 to 548 tons, gold production from 2,319 to 4,074 kilograms, ore extraction reached 37.3 mln tons and coal 6.5 mln tons.

He added that investments had increased from $53 mln to $82 mln, and they were expected to reach $104 mln this year.

South Korean Samsung owns 42.4% of the shares, state block of shares at 35% is under a five year management of the corporation, as represented by its president, private persons and legal entities own 20% of the shares, and remaining 5% belongs to investment funds and in investors' portfolios.

Corporation Kazakhmys is said to be established in 1997 on the base of Djezkazgantsvetmet and incorporates several metallurgical plants, concentration factories, mines and power facilities in Karagandy region.